|
|
Free-range poultry niche market
LOCUST GROVE, Okla. (AP)--The chickens that Geof Colpitts raises on his family's farm are not packed in tight like many commercial operations, but calling them "free-range" may be a misnomer, too. Colpitts even thinks so. "Here's the thing about chickens: Everything eats chickens," he said. "It's difficult to keep them alive. "If you tried to live by absolutely 100 percent spirit of that name--free-range--and lived by what the name sounds like, they'd all be dead." And that's bad for business. Instead, Colpitts likes to call his method "pastured poultry." The chickens on the Locust Grove farm are kept in portable pens that are moved daily to provide fresh grass for the animals. "By eating a natural diet of bugs, it tends to give chicken a better flavor," he said. "We got into free-range because it augmented our grass-fed beef operations. "It went hand in hand with our philosophy of providing healthier foods." Yet poultry growers and industry officials debate whether free-range is any healthier or better than the typical commercial broilers raised by the millions on large-scale operations in eastern Oklahoma. Some even argue whether free-range is any more humane than the denser, indoor shelters. Free-range birds face greater dangers both from predators and from biological dangers, some people in the industry say. "We realize there's a small, niche market for free-range chickens but believe there's a downside to raising birds outside," said Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for Springdale, Ark.-based poultry giant Tyson Foods Inc. "As free-range poultry producers in other parts of the world are finding out, their birds are much more susceptible to avian influenza." Oklahoma State University animal waste-management specialist Josh Payne believes that so-called free-ranging chickens are less "biosecure" and at greater risk from the weather. He was asked whether the free-range method is more humane. "That's up for argument," Payne said. "If you get a warm, fuzzy feeling seeing birds running around chasing insects, then that's friendlier." Market pressures have forced growers to increase stocking density in commercial operations, Payne said. Free-range birds have more space, which advocates of the method say is healthier. Yet Payne gets upset about media reports indicating that birds raised in large-scale commercial operations are artificially pumped up by hormones. The U.S. Department of Agriculture banned that practice years ago. In fact, Payne said, some research indicates that free-range birds, while maybe tastier, also may have higher pathogen levels. Sometimes even the chickens themselves prefer the "factory method." "There are examples of some people who tried to be free-range in raising their chickens by opening the door to the pen," he said. "Some birds wanted to stay indoors." Colpitts instead follows the pastured poultry method developed by Virginia farmer Joel Salatin years ago. He can raise many chickens in a relatively tight area but just keeps moving the pen around, and protects them from predators. "The birds get a fresh diet every day and directly fertilize the soil," Colpitts said. The free-range system was more the norm for raising American poultry until the 1950s, when the larger confinement operations became more common. Consumers are rediscovering the free-range method because of the meat's better flavor, according to the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association. Colpitts has no quarrel with commercial operators. In fact, he admits buying cheaper chicken from Wal-Mart every now and again. He knows that free-range chickens, or whatever you want to call his birds, cost more to raise and thus are more expensive for consumers. "A lot of people have problems with a lot of commercial operators," he said. "I believe there's a niche for all of us out there." Date: 12/26/07
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
